Alamo will get letter by Travis

The Texas General Land Office spokesman Mark Loeffler said his agency has been at odds with the State Library and Archives Commission, trying to get the original 'victory or death' William Barrett Travis letter returned to the Alamo for the first time since it was written in 1836. The Travis "Victory or Death" letter is located in the Texas State Library and Archives, Austin.

Photo By Texas Heritage Society

The Texas General Land Office spokesman Mark Loeffler said his agency has been at odds with the State Library and Archives Commission, trying to get the original 'victory or death' William Barrett Travis letter returned to the Alamo for the first time since it was written in 1836. The Travis "Victory or Death" letter is located in the Texas State Library and Archives, Austin.

The commission had expressed concern for the priceless letter's security, according to Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson.

After months of discussion between the two agencies and about two hours of questions Wednesday, the panel approved the loan.

“It's all about just letting folks know about Texas history,” said Patterson, who now must privately raise about $100,000 to fund transportation, security and other costs associated with the display. Much of that would go toward a custom-built shatterproof display case.

Commissioners were reassured by Patterson's promise that the Texas Department of Public Safety would help transport the fragile document safely and provide any support needed at the Alamo for the two-week display from Feb. 23 to March 7.

While Patterson declined to publicly discuss details that might compromise security, he said measures could include tactical teams and “aviation assets.”

He also did not address how crowds wanting to see the document would be controlled.

The commission, which prefers a secret nighttime transfer, and the land office, which wants a secure motorcade to deliver the document during the day amid fanfare, agreed to let DPS select the best procedure for bringing it from Austin.

The display would provide “a little sizzle” to those wanting to know more about Texas history, including newcomers to the state, and see the original letter, which is considered one of the most inspiring messages ever written on paper, Patterson said.

“In every Texan's life, there should be one opportunity to see this in person,” Patterson told the commission.

Under a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies that was approved by the panel but not made available publicly, DPS and the Alamo Rangers, who provide security at the shrine, will be primarily responsible for keeping the document safe in the mission-era Alamo church.

Alamo Rangers Chief Thomas Hyer said the shrine also has a plan to move the letter to a secured vault in the state-owned complex if an emergency arises. In response to concerns about flash photography that might damage the letter, he said the Rangers will strictly enforce a ban on photography and other electronic equipment — even iPhones — in the church.

“We believe that we have a great plan in place,” Hyer said.

But commissioners had concerns about private security being hired to use metal-detector wands, and asked that off-duty peace officers be used instead. They also didn't want specific times or routes associated with the letter's transport to be shared with the public and the media.

“I'm not for anything goes,” Commissioner Sandra Pickett of Liberty said, referring to concerns about sensitive information released to the media.

If the Land Office is successful in raising the funds — Patterson said he did not think the agency is “going to have a problem” — the display will coincide with the 177th anniversary of the siege and battle.

The staff of the archives commission had consistently opposed the request, saying risks associated with potential theft, vandalism or damage from exposure to excess light or humidity could not be completely mitigated.

But the Land Office has offered to get portable cooling units, temporary smoke detectors and the custom-made display case.

It also has vowed to pay staffing costs for the archives commission to continually monitor the display.

In the Feb. 24, 1836, letter, Travis, the Alamo commander, called on “the people of Texas and all Americans in the world” to come to the aid of Texians who were badly outnumbered by Mexican forces in a war for independence.

“If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country — Victory or Death,” he wrote.

At least 189 known Alamo defenders were killed in a predawn assault on March 6, 1836. Texas won independence at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.

According to the commission, the letter has been displayed eight times, including three times outside of Austin, but never in San Antonio.